STORRS, Conn. — UConn’s Jim Calhoun doesn’t mince words when it comes to his health. So, when the Hall of Fame coach of the defending national champions, who turns 70 in May, had just about had it with his back problems, he let people know.
“The bottom line is I’m going to need some work done,” Calhoun said Friday. “In January the shooting pains were getting worse, and after one plane ride I couldn’t even get up. I tried to hide it. I’m taking medicine right now for the pain. They are waiting for things to quiet down, and I’ll meet with the doctor next week.”
As a result, Calhoun is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence. He has been suffering for several months from spinal stenosis, a spinal condition that causes him severe pain and hampers mobility.
Calhoun said he told university president Susan Herbst about it but had hoped to gut out the final weeks of the season.
“But it’s just so bad, even getting through practice,” Calhoun said. “Now I’m going to see what the next step is. The bottom line is I’m hurting.”
George Blaney, the team’s associate head coach, will lead the team in Calhoun’s absence.
The Huskies (14-7, 4-5 Big East) have lost four games in a row and fell out of the Top 25 for the first time in 28 weeks. They host Seton Hall today before traveling to Louisville on Monday.
